Miami Northwestern overwhelmed Lakeland 40-3 in a Kickoff Classic, turning off-field turmoil into a dominant message to the season ahead. Interim coach Jaquatin Victrum steered the Bulls to a sharpshooter performance on defense, while the offense flashed talent with early rhythm and big plays. Amari Oquendo’s pick-six off a Kavouklis throw and a pair of pressure-filled plays by the Northwestern front set the tone, complemented by Jordan Campbell’s disruptive backfield and a James Johnson half-sack.

Cal Russell Jr. and Nicholas Lennear snagged touchdown grabs, underscoring Northwestern’s receiver depth. The Bulls, entering as USA Today Florida Network’s No. 2, showcased resilience amid off-field distractions surrounding former coach Teddy Bridgewater, whose suspension and NFL departure loomed over the program. Victrum celebrated a first win, stressing the community’s support and the team’s brotherhood as it pivots toward a rugged 2024 campaign.

Northwestern’s defense buzzed all night, with a running clock and the Bulls never letting Lakeland find a foothold. While the game wasn’t flawless, its result signaled potential for a championship run in Class 3A, anchored by a cohesive defense and a capable, improving offense ready to push deeper into the season.

Jaxson Dart leads Rotoworld’s 2025 fantasy preview with a nuanced take: the Ole Miss product is a real passer with holes to fill, and his rushing flair (he logged 45 scrambling attempts in college) adds fantasy upside as a late-season streamer for the Giants once Russell Wilson–the Giants’ expected starter early in the year–settles in. The piece notes Dart’s SEC gauntlet production (4,279 yards, 10.8 yards per attempt, 11.9 aDOT) but warns progression must extend beyond his first reads for him to become a true NFL starter.

The guide also sketches a broader QB landscape for 2025: elite options remain pricey but suddenly more doable, with Kyle Dvorchak flagging Jayden Daniels as a floor-raising level, Justin Fields as a higher-ceiling pick, and Hendon Hooker as a speculative late-round flier. The emphasis is on smart allocation, with a blend of proven vets and appealing sleepers to pair with early-round RB/WR studs. It concludes with a practical nudge toward exploring Rotoworld’s All-Players pages (QBs, RBs, WRs, TEs) for tailored prep.

Quinn Ewers shined in a preseason showing that caught Mike McDaniel’s eye, but the Dolphins coach stressed there’s no real No.2 competition yet. Ewers hit tight windows, flashed touch on deep throws, and capped a 17-play, late scoring drive that underscored growth more than contention. Zach Wilson flashed some poise against Detroit, but his occasional misfires—underthrowing a go-ball to Dee Eskridge, for example—kept the battle in the realm of development rather than immediate depth-chart upheaval. The takeaway for fantasy-minded observers: Miami’s foundation remains Tagovaiola, with Ewers as a learning long-term bet and Wilson as the reliable backup, all filtered through a process-first coaching lens.

Both signal potential for future improvement, and McDaniel’s emphasis on the process underscores a slow-burn approach to quarterback depth. Ewers’ accuracy and ability to thread throws in tight windows paint a hopeful trajectory, while Wilson’s couple of impressive plays suggest he’ll continue to push for refinement. In the near term, the Dolphins appear committed to the current order, but the rookie’s vibe is one that could pay dividends later in the season or in dynasty leagues as development progresses.

Miami’s reserve-heavy preseason showcase produced a promising win for the Dolphins as Zach Wilson ran the show in the first half, completing 15 of 23 passes for 151 yards and a score. Quinn Ewers sparked the offense in the second half, going 11 of 17 for 116 yards and two touchdowns as Miami pulled away late. Detroit countered with Kyle Allen dialing up 14 of 17 for 124 yards and two TDs, while Hendon Hooker struggled through the final two quarters, finishing 6 of 13 for 61 yards with one pick. Ollie Gordon II led Detroit’s ground game with 50 yards on 10 carries and Jacob Saylor added 39 on 13 attempts. The night served as a roster-dress rehearsal, highlighting how depth-chart battles may shape fantasy depth charts and late-season DFS opportunities.

Suspenseful bits included a late first-half sack by Isaac Ukwu that stifled Wilson’s final drive and Lions defenders flashing playmaking potential in the run game. Ewers connected with Theo Wease Jr. and a few other young targets on his first drive back, setting the table for a high-variance, upside-filled QB arc in dynasty leagues. Miami’s special teams and defensive standouts also left quick-impression clips that fantasy managers will note as the teams pare rosters for the finale.

Jones High blasted Sanford Seminole 42-0 at the Legacy Classic, driving the Kickoff Classic through a dominant first half and cruising with a mercy-rule running clock as starters rested. The Tigers controlled every phase, piling up yardage and imposing pressure on Seminole’s offense, setting a tone for the preseason showcase.

Dereon Coleman, the Miami commitment, went 8-for-8 for 123 yards with a touchdown, while Larry Miles, Nebraska-bound, produced two rushing TDs and a 60-yard punt-return TD. DJ Hicks added a 53-yard TD catch, Elijah McCluster scored on a short run, and Reggie Harris returned a 38-yard pick-six. Jones rolled 344 yards in the opening half, with the defense clamping Seminole to 95 yards and delivering timely plays, including sacks from Quinton Evans and Savion Brooks and a Harris pick-six. The Tigers’ line and receivers also stepped up, as seniors led the way and newcomers got their first taste of the Legacy Classic spotlight.

The win extended Jones’s edge in the eight-year Legacy Classic series to 7-1, underscoring the program’s growing depth and future prospects. The duo of Coleman and Miles looms as exciting college prospects, while the culture around the Jones dawg position continues to feed into a reputation for creating playmakers. A nod to NFL lineage—Kerby Joseph’s ascent with the Detroit Lions—paints the ceiling for this program: produce elite defensive backs who can impact games at the next level.